420 in Denver: CDOT offers Uber ride credits, tips for staying safe amid cannabis celebrations
Travel Advisory
Email [email protected] to access the media kit — to be finalized by 9 a.m. MDT on April 21
Statewide — With Denver’s Mile High 420 Festival expected to draw large crowds, the Colorado Department of Transportation urges cannabis consumers to plan ahead for a safe and sober ride home.
THC impairment is difficult to predict or estimate — even at low doses. The impairing effects of cannabis make it dangerous to drive even if you don’t feel high. To help prevent impaired driving, CDOT has partnered with AAA Colorado to offer discounted Uber rides. Now through April 21, Coloradans can use Uber discount code RKFCDEQJUJ or visit ubr.to/4e0D5Bb for a $10 ride credit. The code must be added to a user’s Uber wallet prior to requesting a ride. Other safe ride options include public transportation or a designated driver.
“Driving under the influence of any form of cannabis impairs the judgment and motor skills necessary to drive safely,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “And, if you choose to combine THC with alcohol, this amplifies the risk you create on the roadways. Even if you don’t feel high, make the smart choice and use a rideshare, take public transit or call a sober friend. Law enforcement doesn't issue warnings to impaired drivers. It’s not worth the risk to get behind the wheel after consuming cannabis.”
Everyone is different, and tolerance, consumption methods and product potency will impact your impairment. Because there’s no reliable way to “calculate” when you’re safe to drive, CDOT offers the following guidance if you choose to consume cannabis:
- Wait at least six hours after smoking cannabis containing less than 35 mg of THC before driving or performing other safety-sensitive activities. If you’ve smoked more than 35 mg, you need to wait longer.
- Wait at least eight hours after eating or drinking cannabis containing less than 18 mg of THC before driving. If you’ve eaten more than 18 mg, wait longer.
- If you’re consuming cannabis and alcohol together, you need to wait even longer.
“Whether you’re celebrating at the Mile High 420 Festival in Denver, heading up to Red Amphitheater or just spending time at a friend’s house this 420, remember, the impairing effects of THC can last eight hours or longer,” said CDOT Director of Transportation Safety and Risk Management Darrell Lingk.“Plan ahead if you’re consuming and don’t drive. If you feel different, you drive different.”
Approximately 1-in-3 traffic deaths in Colorado involves an impaired driver, CDOT data shows. In 2024, there were 45 fatalities involving an at-fault driver suspected of cannabis impairment.
Promoting sober rides at the Mile High 420 Festival at Civic Center Park
CDOT will be at the Mile High 420 Festival at Civic Center Park again this year promoting sober rides. Representatives will be at a booth hosting a cannabis quiz to educate consumers about the laws and dangers of driving high. Attendees who visit CDOT’s booth will receive a $10 Uber ride credit.
“AAA is proud to partner with CDOT to keep cannabis consumers safe during this year’s 420 events,” said AAA Regional Director Skyler McKinley. “Your freedom, driver's license and safety aren’t worth the risk of driving high. Make the right call if you're celebrating and plan a sober ride home.”
CDOT, in partnership with the cannabis industry education platform Learn Brands, is also offering free, interactive online training courses for cannabis-industry workers and the public. CDOT’s budtender training course is an in-depth curriculum and offers a certificate of completion. The Cannabis-Impaired Driving “Essentials” course was created for the public and takes less than five minutes to complete.
Learn more about CDOT’s cannabis-impaired driving prevention campaign and find links to educational resources at DriveHighDUI.com.
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